Inversion

As described in Basic Word Order in the section Grammar, standard word order in declarative sentences is first the subject, then the verb. For example:     

Lena went to the park yesterday.     

I am reading a book now.     

Changing standard word order is called "inversion" (inverted word order; inverse word order). Inversion in English usually refers to placing the auxiliary, modal, or main verb before the subject. Inversion is used with a certain aim, often for emphasis. For example:

Never before have I seen such beauty.        

There can be another problem.

As inversion is rather emphatic, it is advisable for language learners to avoid using most of the inverted constructions described below. It is necessary to understand inversion, but it is better to use standard word order in your own speech and writing.

Cases of inversion that you really need to use in your speech include questions, the construction "there is, there are", sentences beginning with "here" or "there", and responses like "So do I; Neither do I". Examples of other inverted constructions are given here in two variants for comparison of inverted and standard word order.   

The most common type of inversion in English consists in moving the auxiliary verb into the position before the subject. This type of inversion is most frequently used in questions. For example:          

Did Lena go to the park yesterday?

What are you doing now?     

Construction "there is, there are" 

Inversion is required in the construction "there is, there are" and in cases where a modal verb or a main verb is used in such constructions.   

There is an interesting article about Spain in today's paper.

There are several books on the table.

Inversion after "here" and "there"           

Inversion takes place in sentences beginning with the adverb "here" or "there". Some phrases beginning with "here" or "there" have idiomatic character.           

Here is the book you asked for.        

Here comes the sun. 

If the subject of the sentence beginning with "here" or "there" is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is placed after the subject.       

Here it is. Here you are. Here you go.         

There you are. There you go.           

Here he comes. There he goes.       

Constructions with "so" and "neither"    

Inversion is required in responses like "So do I" and "Neither do I".

I like coffee. – So do I.

I don't like coffee. – Neither do I.    

Inversion is also required in compound sentences with such constructions. 

I like coffee, and so does Ella.          

I don't like coffee, and neither does Ella.

Conditional sentences        

Inversion is required in the subordinate clause of conditional sentences in which the subordinating conjunction "if" is omitted. If the conjunction "if" is used, inversion is not used. Compare these conditional sentences in which inverted word order and standard word order are used.   

Should my son call, ask him to wait for me at home. – If my son should call, ask him to wait for me at home. If my son calls, ask him to wait for me at home.  

Were I not so tired, I would go there with you. – If I weren't so tired, I would go there with you.

Had I known it, I would have helped him. – If I had known it, I would have helped him. 

Inversion after direct speech         

Inversion takes place in constructions with verbs like "said, asked, replied" placed after direct speech.           

"I'll help you," said Anton.    

"What's the problem?" asked the driver.    

But if the subject of such constructions is expressed by a personal pronoun, the verb is placed after the subject.           

"Thank you for your help," she said.

"Don't mention it," he answered.

If verbs like "said, asked, replied" stand before direct speech, inversion is not used: Nina said, "Let's go home."